A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) finds herself torn between the perfect match (Pedro Pascal) and her imperfect ex (Chris Evans).

As a cinematic feature, Materialists is hands down the most original film we’ve seen in a very long time, and this is a romantic drama unlike any other you’ve witnessed before. Filmmaker Celine Song’s thoughts and feelings on the subject matter of dating, relationships and romance in relation to Materialists are informed by her past as a matchmaker, and she’s far and away one of the smartest working directors at the moment. There’s a deep sense of thought and whipsmart intellect present in Materialists, and it’s almost like you’ve walked in expecting some kind of run-of-the-mill romance film but instead have been treated to a thought-provoking narrative that examines the idea of human worth when it comes to marriage and connection and just where love fits into all of it.

While not wanting to divulge specific plot points or narrative features, as Materialists is best viewed when going into it with the mystery still in tack, this film takes you in many different directions, and its’ narrative, which is extremely character-driven, will keep you primed thanks to some interesting choices on behalf of Song, and a few shock revelations.

While some will believe that Materialists is your standard romantic comedy, it is rather a deeply thought-provoking drama examining themes of connection, worth, dating as a numbers game, and just what place romance and love have in relation to a world that has now come to commoditise and gamify every interaction we now engage in within our modern world. As an audience member who was seeking a fresh hook and looking for the unexpected, this really spoke to me.

Song’s approach to the romance genre as delivered through Materialists was utterly original and different, and the beats and structure of this story keep you engaged and dialled in all the way through. While this is a story of deep emotional complexity and dramatic tension, there is also an unexpected comedy that speaks softly and provides much-needed levity when you least expect it. It also must be said that this is romance filtered through the A24 lens, and this adds to the intricacy of the whole experience of Materialists and is a major driver of the original feeling and experience of the film for audiences.

Cast as the central character of Lucy is Dakota Johnson, and she perfectly embodies her character as the girl in control who, through the beats of this story, has to take a very big look at herself and the life she’s chosen to lead. For Johnson’s Lucy, everything, but especially dating and relationships, comes down to the math. And she has it all figured out. Like a cross between a claims adjuster, banker and mortician, Lucy’s job as a top matchmaker causes her to see people as nothing more than numbers and data points, and all of it in the context of our most important human connection: love. And this is where things get interesting.

Lucy hasn’t given up on love; in fact, she believes wholeheartedly in the joys of marriage and sharing a life with a significant other. However, her quest for self-acceptance and a fulfilling love is intricately tied to her clients’ needs and desires. In Materialists, she embarks on a journey to discover what will truly make her happy. Throughout the story, Johnson faces numerous choices and emotional challenges, and Song’s narrative unfolds with plenty of twists and surprises that will keep the audience engaged in her performance.

Caught up in a very intriguing love triangle in Materialists is Chris Evans as John, Lucy’s ex, who doesn’t even have the luxury of being an everyman but is simply just imperfect. As a part-time waiter and full-time struggling actor, John is a man whose life has gone nowhere and who, in Lucy’s data-driven, economic dating pool, doesn’t even get a look in. As one of Hollywood’s most handsome faces, Materialists and the role of John allow Evans to play completely against type, and there’s a raw sincerity in his character. While the word struggle seems to be synonymous with him, his intentions are above board, and he is genuinely trying throughout this narrative to prove his worth; and he has to confront his feelings and his past in order to move on from his present and into his future. What we get with Evans’ John is a very different type of performance from the actor, and he has an interesting place within this narrative.

Completing the triangle is the man of the moment, Pedro Pascal, and he brings a complete swooning charm as the seemingly perfect New York bachelor, Harry. Handsome, charming, elegant, cultured, fit, tall and most importantly, obscenely wealthy, Harry is a ‘unicorn’, and he soon catches the eye of Lucy, but in a surprise, it’s him giving the chase, and again, this is where the interest builds. As Harry, Pascal appears as his most open and inviting in any of the roles he plays, and while from the film’s marketing materials, you feel Harry’s character is going to move one way, he actually goes in the complete opposite direction. There’s an openness and introspection present within Harry’s character, and his interactions with Lucy, although deeply romantic and bubbly, also present a different type of romantic lead. Materialists see Pascal at his most attractive in the whole context, from appearance to character, and he’ll spark the interest of audience members.

As a cinema experience, Materialists is an utterly gorgeous picture to witness, and this is a film event that manifests itself as a love letter to New York and its community, vibe and atmosphere. Beautifully shot with crisp attention to light and colour by cinematographer Shabier Kirchner on 35mm film stock, there’s a crispness to the imagery, and the experience of seeing Materialists up on the big screen makes for an experience you’ll truly cherish. Materialists builds an atmosphere about it, and from lavish Manhatten penthouses to charming East Village streets to the grungy Brooklyn Burroughs, the very spirit of the New York character is carried into Materialists, and this is a film dripping with authenticity that celebrates not only an environment that never stops moving but that also draws many lovers to it.

Materialists offers a true cinematic experience, showcasing Celine Song’s remarkable talent and deep understanding of storytelling. One of the central themes of the film is the concept of value, which the characters repeatedly confront. This theme is not only explored through the competitive New York dating scene, where money often dictates worth, but also through the reduction of people, and even the idea of love, to mere numbers. This reduction is accompanied by a long list of unrealistic expectations for an ideal partner, which few can ever fulfil.

Song encourages audiences to look beyond superficial appearances. By exploring both desire and honesty, she highlights how recognising intrinsic value and seeking genuine connections can lead to more fulfilling relationships. The film prompts us to question whether, in our fast-paced, modern age — where dating has become a gamified ‘market system’ — we might be better off by opening ourselves up to love and acknowledging the inherent worth we each possess, as well as the worth we can offer others.

Celine Song’s Materialists is a captivating exploration of three characters navigating the complexities of modern dating. The film illustrates how intrinsic worth and genuine connection ultimately outweigh mere data, and it stands out as one of the most clever and original pieces of cinema released this year, showcasing the unique talent of Celine Song. Audiences are sure to fall in love with this Materialists.

Image: Sony Pictures

The post ‘Materialists’ – Review appeared first on SpicyPulp.

The buzz is building for Celine Song’s romantic drama Materialists, which also happens to be a forthcoming release from A24. With its rom-com vibes and a principal cast that includes Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal, it’s becoming a must-watch for audiences! A new trailer has just arrived, which gives audiences a deeper look into what we can expect from it.

Watch the brand new trailer for Materialists below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) finds herself torn between the perfect match (Pedro Pascal) and her imperfect ex (Chris Evans).

Drawing from her own past as a matchmaker, Song has crafted a film that examines ideas of connection and romance, and looks into just why, for many of us, love is now just a numbers game, rather than actually one of emotions. Her back-and-forth drama with Johnson’s Lucy, who is caught in a love triangle between John (Evans) and Harry (Pascal), will definitely keep audiences guessing, and it’s clear that Song is asking audiences to examine their own relationship to romance with this release.

Adding to buzz of it, and building off of the film’s recent trailers, is the nostalgic rom-com vibes of the early-2000s that Materialists is aligning itself with, especially in its most recent trailer, and for audiences who have felt starved of the rom-com bug for some time, this makes it that much more of an exciting release. The film also happens to be beautifully shot by cinematographer Shabier Kirchner, and it’s all making for a very special cinematic experience for audiences.

Get ready to make a match when Materialists arrives in cinemas on June 12.

Image: Sony Pictures

The post Dakota Johnson handles the numbers when it comes to romance in ‘Materialists’ appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Watch the brand new ‘True Romance’ trailer for Materialists below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) finds herself torn between the perfect match (Pedro Pascal) and her imperfect ex (Chris Evans).

Complete with a distinctive 2000-era voiceover and a magical, almost ethereal rendition of Madonna’s classic pop ballad, ‘Material Girl,’ this new trailer for Materialists is giving us all the feels. It’s got the flavour and energy of the romantic dramas and rom-coms that used to be such a staple of modern cinema and are now starting to make a great comeback to cinema, especially following the smash-hit success of Anyone But You.

This new trailer digs deep into the nostalgic vibes that the Millennial set is aching for. Song’s perfectly crafted narrative and beautiful image-making completely wash over the audience. The cast for this one is an absolute knockout thanks to the presence of Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal. For those looking for perfect cinematic bliss, well, you’ll get it here in Materialists.

Filmed exclusively in New York City, and shot exclusively on 35mm film, Materialists has an energy and life about it that utterly draws you in, and with a talent as fresh and impressive as Song behind the camera who is able to lean heavily into the drama of human emotions, this one will really hit home.

Prepare yourself for an exploration of what true love is really worth when Materialists arrives in cinemas on June 12.

Image: Sony Pictures

The post Romance blossoms in Celine Song’s ‘Materialists’ appeared first on SpicyPulp.

Watch the brand new trailer for Celine Song’s Materialists below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

A young, ambitious New York City matchmaker (Dakota Johnson) finds herself torn between the perfect match (Pedro Pascal) and her imperfect ex (Chris Evans).

This first trailer for Materialists promises a richly textured character study of love and relationships as expert matchmaker Lucy (Johnson), begins to question her own talents for love, when she is suddenly in a clash of desire and heart after she runs into former flame John (Evans), even though she’s pursuing the hunky and seemingly perfect Randy (Pascal).

The film crackles with easy flirtations, and Song’s fantastic use of dialogue and setting build out the intrigue in the first trailer, while also allowing her to keep her cards close to the chest in relation to narrative and motivation, and there’s definitely a hearty dose of intrigue present within the picture itself.

Stylistically, Materialists looks like one of the slickest, grooviest watches of the year. There’s an easy-going, laid-back cool about the production, with a touch of effortless glamour that is sure to woo audiences and make this one a must-watch on the big screen.

 

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Materialists has plenty of charm and charisma about it and driven by Celine Song’s one-of-a-kind cinematic voice and the fantastic core trio of Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal will make it must-watch in cinemas when it arrives in cinemas on June 12.

The post Celine Song shines with new romantic-drama ‘Materialists’ appeared first on SpicyPulp.